Just like the summer camp you remember from your childhood. Come celebrate what it means to be alive.

Disconnect to Reconnect

Where Grownups Go to Unplug, Get Away, and Be Kids Again.

Trade in your computer, cell phone, email, Instagrams, clocks, schedules, work-jargon, networking events and conferences for an off-the-grid weekend of pure unadulterated fun in the redwoods.
Celebrate what it means to be alive.

Together we’ll create a community where money and titles are worth little… and individuality, self expression, friendship, memories and the great outdoors are valued most.

Camp Rules

This is Summer Camp

Let’s be clear. This is not a conference, networking event or summit.

This will not be a meet-up opportunity to make contacts that further your career. There will be no cocktail hour or reception for anyone to explain what they do, play the “we know the same people” game, or try and figure out how they can connect again after they return to the workplace. No VIPs, headliners or wristbands. No backstage access, or backstage while we’re at it.

Instead, we create an atmosphere for personal freedom, creative thinking, liberation from technology, true vacation from our j-o-b, and a space from the working world where we can all once again be human. Friendships at camp are based on real-life connections, how good you are at capture the flag or face-painting, the best late night bunkmate jokes, and the most important status we’ll update is our happiness.

This is just like the camp you went as a kid… only designed for adults. All Inclusive, all ages (18-80), and all demographics. It’s about who you are, not what you do for a living. 100% IRL (in real life) Experiences.

No screens. No Filters. No Big Data. No agenda. No bullshit.
Just good old camp.

Smiley’s first week of high school, he showed up for cross-country practice, not fully even knowing what it was. The coach, who was a little nuts, sent everyone on a 5-mile run up and down hills, over and over again. Seeing Smiley’s smile on an especially steep hill, his coach responded in a thick Boston accent, “WHAT AHH YOU DOIN’ SMILIN’ KID?!! STAPP SIMILIN AND STAAAHT PUKIN!” The team called him Smiley from there on out.

Smiley’s favorite place is Golden Gate Park in his home of San Francisco. His first kiss was at camp. He dances in the shower. He loves typewriters, Jerry Seinfeld, ice cream sandwiches, running shorts, and creative writing. His superpower would be to make the world more equal and abolish prisons.

You’ll find him this year hoisting up chairs during song time, capturing the flag, helping others key into their own creative voices as writer, and indeed, protecting his flag from being captured.

Buckwild’s jam is the meaningful conversations that connect us. She’ll be the one with three blue dots on the corner of her eyes at camp, representing her intentions to listen, learn and laugh, and reminding her to let the magic in each day!

When she was 10, Buckwild suffered from a terrible fear that spiders would crawl into her ears and lay eggs. To combat this, she slept with a bandana wrapped around her head every night to block the entrance of her ear canal. That summer she brought both her bandana and hand-vac to camp, to tie tightly in place and to suck up real and imagined cobwebs from around her bed. She was clearly not afraid to be made fun of. Today, she looks forward to leading yoga workshops that help people face their fears!

Buckwild is IN this summer to encourage her campers to try new things and step outside their comfort zones, all while following their hearts’ deepest needs. She is unfailingly curious, and will be gently and sensitively interested in what you love, what makes you come alive, and what you’re grateful for.

It’s super late at night, but you’re not ready for bed. Go find Barnaby and his guitar because we can guarantee that he’ll be up singing. As well as counselor, Barnaby is one of the sing leaders of Camp Grounded and if you feel like a Beatles sing-a-long, you have just made a new best friend.

While he never went to summer camp as a kid, he did go on lots of camping trips. He remembers hanging up a flashlight so that he and his dad could play chess, deep into the night. If he could have any power it would be to fly. He would like to soar over San Francisco and imagine what it looked like before there were any people.

Barnaby has traveled to many places and has felt at home everywhere he goes. Still feels comfortable in Davis where his parents live, he has made a home in San Francisco, but being born in Boston, he will never give up his football loyalty to the Patriots!

Padma is a loving child of the meadows of Tennessee. Her nickname, which she received at a goddess gathering, channels the abundance, beauty and love of the Hindu goddess of prosperity. She loves being barefoot in a forest clearing, braiding floral crowns and manifesting magic in one-on-one conversations with campers.

Padma remembers her first camp experience as totally terrifying but also electrifying. There she found her love for being with like-minded people doing new things, giving and taking in the beauty of a serene natural environment.

At camp this year, Padma will frolick, build haystacks out of taco salad, and make eye contact with her loving heart wide open. Come find her to run, dance, play and get your hearts pumping!

When SunFire thinks back on his time as a kid at camp, his favorite memory is cross dressing in victorian era dresses with his fellow bunkmates. It’s no wonder that he has found a home at Camp Grounded.

SunFire is one of the founding counselors Camp Grounded and this summer he is dedicated to bringing more spontaneous music and expression to camp. He doesn’t have a favorite camp song, and as long as there are hand motions or a choreographed dance that goes along with it.

While he calls Oakland his home, if he could be anywhere in the world it would always be Yosemite. You will never see Sunfire without his trusty glasses and if he had any superpower, it would be to speak every language on Earth.

E-Class is E-Class because she is Class-E. . . well she’s actually not very classy at all, but classes A-D just weren’t working out. When E-Class thinks of her favorite camp memory, it was her last night of her last year as a camper. Her and her bunk mates watched the sunset, while reading poetry and lamenting that everyone should have a chance to go to camp. She is so glad that now they do!

E-Class believes that all people are good and just doing the best they can. This gives her tons of empathy as she works with campers and interacts with the rest of the world. She stays grounded with good food, good friends and 8 solid hours of sleep!

This summer you can find E-Class leading her famous hip hop dance playshop. With her favorite color being glitter, she shouldn’t be hard to miss.

At the age of three, when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, his answer was simple, “A Ladybug.” And now it is so. Ladybug is Camp Grounded’s king of sparkles. Feeling like you need a little more bedazzling in your life, go to ladybug and he’ll fit you with a sequin wristband to brighten up your day.

Ladybug hails from Oakland California, where he spends his time raising chickens and gardening in his magical backyard. If he could have any super power it would be to absorb other people’s physical skills so that he could do awesome things like juggling, skateboarding and backflips.

This summer Ladybug is looking forward to supporting campers to be the person they’ve always wanted to be. At the talent show you will find Ladybug just off stage, comforting and supporting whoever is scared out of their minds that they’re up next.

Scout’s favorite part of camp as a kid was living in a community of friends. She loved being in a bunk and always having someone to talk to, laugh with or go on an adventure. While Oakland is starting to feel like home to her, she truly feels most at home near water and trees. She loves the Utah wilderness from the mountains to the great salty lake.

When Scout is playing she likes to have a tiny bit, “on the line” so that she can be sure to be pushed outside of her comfort zone. If she wants to stay grounded making art or getting exercise are the best ways for her.

This summer Scout wants to be an emotional support to campers. She will lend campers an ear, stand by them when they feel awkward, and is always a moment away from dancing, just ask her!

It’s hard for Benefitz to pin down where he calls home. He lives in San Francisco, grew up in Connecticut but is also deeply connected to NYC where he played in theater for close to a decade. Still Benefitz sometimes feels most at home on his firescape, or taking a walk, or a long drive, or anytime to just be quiet and think. One of Benefitz’s favortie places in the world are the woods outside of the house he grew up in, where he would play until it got dark out.

Benefitz’s favorite camp song is the last song of the night, where everyone knows that they should be in bed, but they just want one more! Half the circle sings, “you should go to sleep.” and the other half sings, “but I don’t want to!”

Campers can count on Benefitz to stop what he’s doing and take a deep breath with them. Campers are always welcome to get grounded Benefitz style which involves a combination of meditating and handstands!

Ninja Mouse is a ninja of peace, seeking to activate the peace around us. She took the name of Mouse when a counselor invited her to choose an animal name to help her connect with her animal self and feel less fearful. The mouse gets the most permission to be afraid, yet still greets the night with bravery, resilience, and perseverance. She creatively constructs incredible nests, is willing to risk her life to provide for her family, and industrious in collecting almonds, even through difficulties. Peace and an adorable snuggle nest – that’s Ninja Mouse!

Her current nest is in an off the grid tipi in the town of Lucas, Wisconsin. She loves any camp food that you can roast over a fire with a stick – Hot dogs, S’mores or even wild mushrooms. You’ll know it’s Ninja Mouse by her favorite superhero knee high socks that actually have capes on them.

Ninja Mouse invites campers to go on nature hikes with her. She says they can be silent or filled with deep conversations about life. Along the way she’ll identify the plants that you pass and maybe even start a game of tag!

If you see someone rocking a hot dog costume this year, it’s probably Captain Lunch Con Queso or Lunch for short! When Lunch led the green team to victory in last summer’s color wars, she is remembered to have said, “This is the most beautiful moment of my life. . . and I’m a mother!” It’s true, as well as being a counselor, Lunch is a wonderful mom and counts her husband (known at camp as Mama Bird) and her child as the most important people in her life.

Hailing from the east coast, Lunch went to camp for 12 summers before joining up with Camp Grounded. She can always be counted on to bring the camp energy and it’s no surprise that her favorite camp memory as a kid involved mooning people from a canoe

Wake up early enough and you’ll find Lunch taking some time with her journal, which is the best way for her to stay grounded at camp. She’s so excited to play with new friends and make some camp magic this summer!

In Prow Prow’s first summer she led a beat boxing playshop that epically rocked the talent show. By her second summer she had blossomed into an incredible counselor, using her deep connective qualities to create loving and life changing experiences for her campers. This summer she is so excited to come with even more of that PROW PROW energy.

Hailing from Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, Prow Prow is happy anywhere, as long as it’s in nature. You might find her at the river, singing her favorite camp jam, “Down in the River to Pray,” or eating what is both her favorite food and color. . . Greens!

She’ll be leading body sound and yoga classes this summer as well as creating as much spontaneous play as possible everywhere she goes. If she’s drinking water, be careful, she can shoot it through her teeth.

On his first night ever camping as a kid, he met a through-camper on the Appalachian Trail named Hoof. Hoof became a character of mythical proportions and was the perfect nickname when coming to Camp Grounded.

If you want to find Hoof in his most blissful state you better get to the beach. There’s nowhere Hoof would rather be than surfing in the ocean. But don’t worry, he loves the mountains too! Hoof also loves playing soccer and along with his partner and family, he holds his soccer team as some of the most important people in his life.

This summer you can look to Hoof for good hugs and big high fives. He wants to meet campers where they are at and make sure they know that however they are feeling is ok. He also wants to rock some super short short shorts!

Chiquita’s original High School Spanish name wasn’t spicy enough. She’s been Chiquita ever since! Chiquita lights up primarily when doing three things: making or building things, moving her body in nature, and connecting with other people. As a result, you’ll find her creating inspiring art and murals, trail-running, or gathering folks together to play charades at camp. She loves centering her life around art!

Chiquita’s grandmother inspires the crap out of her. She always said to Chiquita in Yiddish, “Nothing is going to happen if you just sit there with your hands folded in your lap.” When something breaks, her grandma writes a letter to the manufacturer to get a full refund or replacement; when she stopped having fun at her senior center, she researched and picked another one to go to. She never just sits there and takes it – she questions things that aren’t right. She asks, politely but firmly, for what she wants, and expresses deep gratitude for those who help her. Chiquita loves that spirit and feels her own deep gratitude for friends who have helped her grow the past few years!

At camp, you’ll find Chiquita sharing her secret talents of Shaving Cream Hairstyling and nail art whenever the chance arises. She loves surprises and narrating the lives of dogs.

Big Fish’s nickname came from a dream. In it he was with friends playing a game where they said, “1-2-3, Big Fish or Little Fish!?!” When he woke up he taught everyone the game and they all chose Big Fish and thus Big Fish was named!

Big Fish is a compulsive epic fantasy reader and it’s no surprise that if he could have any power it would be The Force. He is most inspired by his partner Golden Bird who was a counselor at Camp Grounded for the last two years.

Campers can count on Big Fish to be big when it’s time to be big and small when it’s time to be small. He’s here to listen, support and have a great time.

Boomer’s college roommates dubbed her “The Boomerang Kid” back in the days when she was unable to leave the house without coming back to get something – be it her buss pass, sunglasses or water bottle. She took “McBean” after marrying her sweetheart, Twizzleman McBean, less than one week after camp last summer! Today, they live in Oakland, California with their collie pup, and a backyard overlooking a small urban farm.

Boomer runs on solar power. Whenever the sky is clear, you’ll find her sitting in sunshine and soaking up its delicious vitamin D, ideally on a riverside rock in the High Sierras. Fully-charged, you’ll find her at the Arts & Crafts barn, making onesies out of extra-large T-Shirts with stylish new methods! Feel free to bring one to camp to transform, or to buy one from the General Store!

Boomer was an only child who frequented many a’camp for many a’year. Her racoon onesie gets the most use at camp, as it’s both perfect on cold, cozy nights and gives her super-sneaky pranking powers. She’ll be the first one to ‘take it there’ both in pranks and as the queen of innuendo. Her favorite color is Meatballs.

The first camp Bricky ever went to was Asthma Camp. It turned out his usually-mild asthma was unaffected by the woods, so he instantly transformed into a relative superman, able to run the farthest/fastest, swim the longest, jump the highest and breathe the quietest. These superior traits did not spare him, however, during a quick change into swimming gear – when a 5” wolf spider climbed his leg to mount an attack! Bricky’s counselor bravely captured the spider, who became their 12th bunkmate, thereafter settling for a diet of grasshoppers. Bricky found the situation ridiculous and scary and “what camp is all about!”

Bricky can look deep into your eyes and come up with the perfect nickname for you, so if you can’t think of one before camp . . . Bricky’s got your back. He also is an incredible artist and loves making sculptures out of Legos!

Bricky St. James discovered his nickname while freestyling in the shower. In high school, he was in a hip-hop group and he still freestyles to this day. One magical morning, he sang “Bricky Bricky Bricky” in falsetto and a “St. James” fell out. When he’s hosting the talent show this summer, let’s all sing it back to him.

Fjords Malone is someone you can count on to talk candidly about anything, especially the camp experience, with emotional awareness even in real time. She’s equally content with intense laughter and utter silence and strives to be role model for authentically delighting in play!

Fjords’ home is her body, which she prefers to keep outdoors and adorned with patterned leggings. In any setting, she loves grilled cheese, tomato soup, the color blue and her family. She adores her two sweet, humble grandmothers who are her personal heros. She is moved by how they have advocated for immigrants’ and children’s rights with amazing compassion. After spending four years living in Canada she picked up the Canadian accent but it’s faded with time – See if you can hear it!

This summer you will find Fjords stirring up the dynamic, powerful energy within us all through Kundalini Yoga, then blending the ancient traditions of haiku and cootie catchers into a new form of collective poetry: the haiku-ti catcher.

Star Cat is all about the love! His passion is for opening his heart, through courageous acts of vulnerability. In addition to his wife and daughter, he loves singing songs, canoe trips, night hikes and getting grungy. He can’t wait to come to camp to reconnect with his playful spontaneous self which is harder and harder to stay connected with while being a parent.

Star Cat is a Leo which inspired his name. You’ll know Star Cat by his awesome pants, adoration for veggie burgers, and jubilant belting of the Beatles. If Star Cat could have one power is would be indomitable courage that he would use to spearhead the revolution!

Star Cat looks forward to sharing his love; groundedness; and calm, radiant presence with campers through meditation and playshops in teepees and through music.

Waddle Fairy’s nickname came to her in a dream. She was a tiny, chubby fairy dressed in a pink tutu whom slowly waddled from tulip to tulip climbing awkwardly up their hairy stems. She was not quite as graceful as the other dainty, flying fairies. Thus was born, Waddle Fairy.

Waddle Fairy’s wings have helped her travel all up and down the West Coast of the United States, from LA to the San Juan Islands and everywhere in between. Having grown up in Seattle, she feels most connected to the Cascadia bio-region of the northwest. Now, San Francisco has been her longest and most successful (though complicated) relationship. Although they aren’t together at the moment, they’re still deeply in love, and won’t stay apart too long.

Not only is Waddle Fairy a world traveler, she is also an adventurer in her daily life. She loves talking to strangers, dressing up in costumes with glitter and jewels, and LOVES to dance. In fact one of her favorite pastimes is going contra dancing where age and background are meaningless and all that matters is moving your body!

This summer, you can count on Waddle Fairy to know when to be serious and when to play. To connect. Learn. Love. Create. Reflect. Give. Receive. Repeat.

Bubbles is excited to return “Home” to Camp Grounded – and to show up in a big way, listening to others in a fully present state. His favorite camp memories from last year were singing songs in the cafeteria and sneaking out at night. He believes joy is available to all of us, and that each of us can help incorporate it into our lives and others!

Bubbles loves learning, from mentors, Camp Grounded friends, great conversation, and books. If he had a secret superpower, it would be the ability to put his finger on a book and absorb all the info inside in a single minute. Believe it or not, a hero of his is Oprah. he is inspired by her dedication to elevating consciousness throughout humanity.

This summer you’ll find Bubbles blissing out in a hammock, throwing a frisbee, taking photos, and reframing “no”. He looks forward to creating a fun-loving, safe, weird, and beautiful environment where he and others can fully express themselves without judgment… then play!

Stoked was one of those kids who was originally terrified to sleep away from home. Her best memories for facing those fears are the connections she made along the way. Through camp she learned that it’s the people (and vegan sprouted s’mores!) that matter more than the physical space!

Stoked is filled with child-like wonder — including silliness, joy, brightness, wisdom, and gentleness. She also is an incredible poet and storyteller, using childlike rhyme to remind of us of very important truths. When Stoked was in 3rd grade, she read more than 33,000 pages and while that sounds like a super power in itself, If she had any other superpower it would be to morph into any animal.

Hailing from Tallahassee, Florida, Stoked has now found a home in Oakland, California. Her greatest hope is to support campers to be happy and free – keep an eye out for her in her striped harem pants or tutu which was a gift from a venerated New Orleans Drag Queen.

Jedi’s name came from a capoeira-based Star Wars reenactment he’s created for the past three years in San Francisco. You’ll know him by his big smile, cowboy hats and suspenders. He loves being in groups, supporting and challenging each other, and cheering everyone on along the way.

In his spare time, Jedi loves playing and being silly on warm afternoons with his daughter, whose laugh is even bigger and wider-mouthed than his. Imagine them playing hide and go seek together until, exhausted, they both pass out, with their butts in the air and their faces planted on the floor.

If Jedi could be anywhere right now it would be jumping off of a cliff, out of an airplane, or really anything that’s high up. He loves that moment when you are forced to embrace your vulnerability and relax into the fall. He looks forward to connecting deeply with new friends who he might never have otherwise been drawn to in the “real” world.

Bug is a love-snuggle-lady-song-tickle-dance-bug from the Central Valley of California. She’s also definitely a water bug and when she was a kid at camp she loved to hang out all day at the lake. Starting with a “polar plunge” in the morning, she’d spend her day, kayaking, swimming and warming herself on the rocks

A recent home of Bug’s was in a village just west of Panama called Santa Rita. There she spent the past two years living in divine simplicity around the base of the Barú volcano. In Santa Rita, neighbors drop by for unexpected visits, children play freely, and time slows. Her favorite place in the world is the Peruvian Amazon jungle, which brings her to life with all its “singing life and wild hunger.”

Oak trees are Bug’s personal heroes, because of their beauty, strength, patience, humility and wisdom. If she had a superpower, it would be to understand and speak all the world’s languages. She looks forward to being an active listener and sounding board for all her new friends and campers this summer, with a warm smile and hug for anyone who asks.

Dream Machine is here to ignite the dreams and innate exuberance of every camper. At theater and nature camps, she got her start seeing the best in people right off the bat. Her passion is creating containers for campers to explore and express themselves through language. Look for her hosting poetry and vision board playshops!

In downtime at camp, you’ll find Dream Machine living out her inner water creature as an aquamarine Dolphuar, a blend between a dolphin and jaguar. She invites you to come as you are, and is excited to offer a trustworthy listening ear and to build great friendships.

Dream Machine is happiest when helping campers plug in to their inner landscape so they can show up as the people they already are and want to become. An abundant believer in each person’s potential, she accepts people openly and non-judgmentally for who they are right now. So, she says — “we should probably be friends!”

Boondogle is a mountain-dweller and lake-lover, hailing from the beautiful outdoor lands of Colorado where she’s honed her skills as a more-than-decent beat boxer. As a kid, she both loved lanyards and always dreamed of holding the name “Boondogle” as a counselor. It was only this year that she realized that Boondogle is actually another word for LANYARD!

When it comes to mornings, Boondogle excels as a human alarm clock, with a spirited chant of “Alive Awake Alert Enthusiastic!” She looks up to the Dali Lama because of his gift to turn “anything into something worth guffawing about, with gusto.” Boondogle’s rock is her wife who is a great treasure in her life – constant, unwavering, still holding the childlike wonder in her eyes.

This summer you’ll find Boondogle at the river, rope swinging into even murky waters with great glee. She’s totally aware of the blocks that can keep us out of creativity and in a state of overwhelm, and can’t wait to help others tap back into a state of connectedness and soulful release.

Snazzie got her name through an MC rap battle on last year’s camp bus. She loves freestyling, blending voices, bodies and rhythm together through rap or poetry. This year she hopes to share her passion in a body-based camp-wide drum circle!

Snazzie grew up on a farm near Toronto, Canada, where she found her loves for swinging in a hammock, fresh and organic foods, and making a mess in the kitchen. She loves the color green, including forests, green smoothies, and zucchini with nuts.

At camp you’ll find Snazzie uniting art, food, voices, and bodies through play. She loves being silly, but looks forward to balancing this for her campers with a steady inner strength to support them in having the best experience they can. Don’t forget to hit her up for some gorgeous face-or body-paint!

Yes Please! Got her name from her belief that fulfillment and joy come from being an active participant in life and saying “YES!” to as much as possible. Growing up in Seattle, her home was regularly visited by Jane Goodall (a good friend of her dad) who has been a role model to her in living one’s personal truth and being part of something larger than oneself.

Her favorite way of playing is to dance, which makes sense considering she’s been on competitive hip hop dance teams from 3rd grade through college. She also loves a good camp style Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup and if she could have any superpower, it would be to teleport.

Yes Please! loves being outside in the mountains and you’ll never find her without a good book to read. If you’re looking for her this summer, look out for the person in a Koala Onesie or belting out some Indigo Girls at a camp sing-a-long.

Iceman lives in Royal Oak, Michigan, which is just outside of Detroit. She spends a lot of time in Detroit and is deeply invested in it’s resurgence and revival. If Iceman were any combination of two animals she would be would owl-turtle and call herself “sweet tree dwelling turtle looking bird” or Bob for short.

She loves going on gratitude sprees–expressing rapid fire what she is grateful for. Iceman feels most grounded when she is able to move, touch or inspire another person through the simple act of acknowledgement.

At camp you may find her wearing one of her four handmade capes, leading a game of disc golf, reading Pablo Neruda by the river, or blasting her vocal chords singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart”. When Iceman went to camp she loved to play Capture the Flag and you’ll be sure to see her captaining a team in this summer’s Color Wars.

Camp Grounded Counselors are community makers, people who have the audacity to be themselves (even when it feels weird), and ask deep questions of those around them. Instigators, nurturers, and sometimes pranksters… counselors are hungry to lighten your load this summer through games, laughter, deep conversation, guided meditations and of course, the occasional bad joke.

This is Summer Camp

Let’s be clear. This is not a conference, networking event or summit.

This will not be a meet-up opportunity to make contacts that further your career. There will be no cocktail hour or reception for anyone to explain what they do, play the “we know the same people” game, or try and figure out how they can connect again after they return to the workplace. No VIPs, headliners or wristbands. No backstage access, or backstage while we’re at it.

Instead, we create an atmosphere for personal freedom, creative thinking, liberation from technology, true vacation from our j-o-b, and a space from the working world where we can all once again be human. Friendships at camp are based on real-life connections, how good you are at capture the flag or face-painting, the best late night bunkmate jokes, and the most important status we’ll update is our happiness.

This is just like the camp you went as a kid… only designed for adults. All Inclusive, all ages (18-80), and all demographics. It’s about who you are, not what you do for a living. 100% IRL (in real life) Experiences.

No screens. No Filters. No Big Data. No agenda. No bullshit.
Just good old camp.

Camp Rules

Meet the Counselors

Camp Grounded Counselors are community makers, people who have the audacity to be themselves (even when it feels weird), and ask deep questions of those around them. Instigators, nurturers, and sometimes pranksters… counselors are hungry to lighten your load this summer through games, laughter, deep conversation, guided meditations and of course, the occasional bad joke.

Smiley

Buckwild

Barnaby

Padma

SunFire

E-Class

Ladybug

Scout

Benefitz

Ninja Mouse

Captain Lunch Con Queso

Prow Prow

Hoof

Chiquita

Big Fish

Boomer McBean

Bricky St. James

Fjords Malone

Star Cat

Waddle Fairy

Bubbles

Stoked

Jedi Dinglehopper

Bug

Dream Machine

Boondogle

Snazzie

Yes Please!

Iceman

Artemis

Smiley

Smiley’s first week of high school, he showed up for cross-country practice, not fully even knowing what it was. The coach, who was a little nuts, sent everyone on a 5-mile run up and down hills, over and over again. Seeing Smiley’s smile on an especially steep hill, his coach responded in a thick Boston accent, “WHAT AHH YOU DOIN’ SMILIN’ KID?!! STAPP SIMILIN AND STAAAHT PUKIN!” The team called him Smiley from there on out.

Smiley’s favorite place is Golden Gate Park in his home of San Francisco. His first kiss was at camp. He dances in the shower. He loves typewriters, Jerry Seinfeld, ice cream sandwiches, running shorts, and creative writing. His superpower would be to make the world more equal and abolish prisons.

You’ll find him this year hoisting up chairs during song time, capturing the flag, helping others key into their own creative voices as writer, and indeed, protecting his flag from being captured.

Buckwild’s jam is the meaningful conversations that connect us. She’ll be the one with three blue dots on the corner of her eyes at camp, representing her intentions to listen, learn and laugh, and reminding her to let the magic in each day!

When she was 10, Buckwild suffered from a terrible fear that spiders would crawl into her ears and lay eggs. To combat this, she slept with a bandana wrapped around her head every night to block the entrance of her ear canal. That summer she brought both her bandana and hand-vac to camp, to tie tightly in place and to suck up real and imagined cobwebs from around her bed. She was clearly not afraid to be made fun of. Today, she looks forward to leading yoga workshops that help people face their fears!

Buckwild is IN this summer to encourage her campers to try new things and step outside their comfort zones, all while following their hearts’ deepest needs. She is unfailingly curious, and will be gently and sensitively interested in what you love, what makes you come alive, and what you’re grateful for.

It’s super late at night, but you’re not ready for bed. Go find Barnaby and his guitar because we can guarantee that he’ll be up singing. As well as counselor, Barnaby is one of the sing leaders of Camp Grounded and if you feel like a Beatles sing-a-long, you have just made a new best friend.

While he never went to summer camp as a kid, he did go on lots of camping trips. He remembers hanging up a flashlight so that he and his dad could play chess, deep into the night. If he could have any power it would be to fly. He would like to soar over San Francisco and imagine what it looked like before there were any people.

Barnaby has traveled to many places and has felt at home everywhere he goes. Still feels comfortable in Davis where his parents live, he has made a home in San Francisco, but being born in Boston, he will never give up his football loyalty to the Patriots!

Padma is a loving child of the meadows of Tennessee. Her nickname, which she received at a goddess gathering, channels the abundance, beauty and love of the Hindu goddess of prosperity. She loves being barefoot in a forest clearing, braiding floral crowns and manifesting magic in one-on-one conversations with campers.

Padma remembers her first camp experience as totally terrifying but also electrifying. There she found her love for being with like-minded people doing new things, giving and taking in the beauty of a serene natural environment.

At camp this year, Padma will frolick, build haystacks out of taco salad, and make eye contact with her loving heart wide open. Come find her to run, dance, play and get your hearts pumping!

When SunFire thinks back on his time as a kid at camp, his favorite memory is cross dressing in victorian era dresses with his fellow bunkmates. It’s no wonder that he has found a home at Camp Grounded.

SunFire is one of the founding counselors Camp Grounded and this summer he is dedicated to bringing more spontaneous music and expression to camp. He doesn’t have a favorite camp song, and as long as there are hand motions or a choreographed dance that goes along with it.

While he calls Oakland his home, if he could be anywhere in the world it would always be Yosemite. You will never see Sunfire without his trusty glasses and if he had any superpower, it would be to speak every language on Earth.

E-Class is E-Class because she is Class-E. . . well she’s actually not very classy at all, but classes A-D just weren’t working out. When E-Class thinks of her favorite camp memory, it was her last night of her last year as a camper. Her and her bunk mates watched the sunset, while reading poetry and lamenting that everyone should have a chance to go to camp. She is so glad that now they do!

E-Class believes that all people are good and just doing the best they can. This gives her tons of empathy as she works with campers and interacts with the rest of the world. She stays grounded with good food, good friends and 8 solid hours of sleep!

This summer you can find E-Class leading her famous hip hop dance playshop. With her favorite color being glitter, she shouldn’t be hard to miss.

At the age of three, when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, his answer was simple, “A Ladybug.” And now it is so. Ladybug is Camp Grounded’s king of sparkles. Feeling like you need a little more bedazzling in your life, go to ladybug and he’ll fit you with a sequin wristband to brighten up your day.

Ladybug hails from Oakland California, where he spends his time raising chickens and gardening in his magical backyard. If he could have any super power it would be to absorb other people’s physical skills so that he could do awesome things like juggling, skateboarding and backflips.

This summer Ladybug is looking forward to supporting campers to be the person they’ve always wanted to be. At the talent show you will find Ladybug just off stage, comforting and supporting whoever is scared out of their minds that they’re up next.

Scout’s favorite part of camp as a kid was living in a community of friends. She loved being in a bunk and always having someone to talk to, laugh with or go on an adventure. While Oakland is starting to feel like home to her, she truly feels most at home near water and trees. She loves the Utah wilderness from the mountains to the great salty lake.

When Scout is playing she likes to have a tiny bit, “on the line” so that she can be sure to be pushed outside of her comfort zone. If she wants to stay grounded making art or getting exercise are the best ways for her.

This summer Scout wants to be an emotional support to campers. She will lend campers an ear, stand by them when they feel awkward, and is always a moment away from dancing, just ask her!

It’s hard for Benefitz to pin down where he calls home. He lives in San Francisco, grew up in Connecticut but is also deeply connected to NYC where he played in theater for close to a decade. Still Benefitz sometimes feels most at home on his firescape, or taking a walk, or a long drive, or anytime to just be quiet and think. One of Benefitz’s favortie places in the world are the woods outside of the house he grew up in, where he would play until it got dark out.

Benefitz’s favorite camp song is the last song of the night, where everyone knows that they should be in bed, but they just want one more! Half the circle sings, “you should go to sleep.” and the other half sings, “but I don’t want to!”

Campers can count on Benefitz to stop what he’s doing and take a deep breath with them. Campers are always welcome to get grounded Benefitz style which involves a combination of meditating and handstands!

Ninja Mouse is a ninja of peace, seeking to activate the peace around us. She took the name of Mouse when a counselor invited her to choose an animal name to help her connect with her animal self and feel less fearful. The mouse gets the most permission to be afraid, yet still greets the night with bravery, resilience, and perseverance. She creatively constructs incredible nests, is willing to risk her life to provide for her family, and industrious in collecting almonds, even through difficulties. Peace and an adorable snuggle nest – that’s Ninja Mouse!

Her current nest is in an off the grid tipi in the town of Lucas, Wisconsin. She loves any camp food that you can roast over a fire with a stick – Hot dogs, S’mores or even wild mushrooms. You’ll know it’s Ninja Mouse by her favorite superhero knee high socks that actually have capes on them.

Ninja Mouse invites campers to go on nature hikes with her. She says they can be silent or filled with deep conversations about life. Along the way she’ll identify the plants that you pass and maybe even start a game of tag!

If you see someone rocking a hot dog costume this year, it’s probably Captain Lunch Con Queso or Lunch for short! When Lunch led the green team to victory in last summer’s color wars, she is remembered to have said, “This is the most beautiful moment of my life. . . and I’m a mother!” It’s true, as well as being a counselor, Lunch is a wonderful mom and counts her husband (known at camp as Mama Bird) and her child as the most important people in her life.

Hailing from the east coast, Lunch went to camp for 12 summers before joining up with Camp Grounded. She can always be counted on to bring the camp energy and it’s no surprise that her favorite camp memory as a kid involved mooning people from a canoe

Wake up early enough and you’ll find Lunch taking some time with her journal, which is the best way for her to stay grounded at camp. She’s so excited to play with new friends and make some camp magic this summer!

In Prow Prow’s first summer she led a beat boxing playshop that epically rocked the talent show. By her second summer she had blossomed into an incredible counselor, using her deep connective qualities to create loving and life changing experiences for her campers. This summer she is so excited to come with even more of that PROW PROW energy.

Hailing from Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, Prow Prow is happy anywhere, as long as it’s in nature. You might find her at the river, singing her favorite camp jam, “Down in the River to Pray,” or eating what is both her favorite food and color. . . Greens!

She’ll be leading body sound and yoga classes this summer as well as creating as much spontaneous play as possible everywhere she goes. If she’s drinking water, be careful, she can shoot it through her teeth.

On his first night ever camping as a kid, he met a through-camper on the Appalachian Trail named Hoof. Hoof became a character of mythical proportions and was the perfect nickname when coming to Camp Grounded.

If you want to find Hoof in his most blissful state you better get to the beach. There’s nowhere Hoof would rather be than surfing in the ocean. But don’t worry, he loves the mountains too! Hoof also loves playing soccer and along with his partner and family, he holds his soccer team as some of the most important people in his life.

This summer you can look to Hoof for good hugs and big high fives. He wants to meet campers where they are at and make sure they know that however they are feeling is ok. He also wants to rock some super short short shorts!

Chiquita’s original High School Spanish name wasn’t spicy enough. She’s been Chiquita ever since! Chiquita lights up primarily when doing three things: making or building things, moving her body in nature, and connecting with other people. As a result, you’ll find her creating inspiring art and murals, trail-running, or gathering folks together to play charades at camp. She loves centering her life around art!

Chiquita’s grandmother inspires the crap out of her. She always said to Chiquita in Yiddish, “Nothing is going to happen if you just sit there with your hands folded in your lap.” When something breaks, her grandma writes a letter to the manufacturer to get a full refund or replacement; when she stopped having fun at her senior center, she researched and picked another one to go to. She never just sits there and takes it – she questions things that aren’t right. She asks, politely but firmly, for what she wants, and expresses deep gratitude for those who help her. Chiquita loves that spirit and feels her own deep gratitude for friends who have helped her grow the past few years!

At camp, you’ll find Chiquita sharing her secret talents of Shaving Cream Hairstyling and nail art whenever the chance arises. She loves surprises and narrating the lives of dogs.

Big Fish’s nickname came from a dream. In it he was with friends playing a game where they said, “1-2-3, Big Fish or Little Fish!?!” When he woke up he taught everyone the game and they all chose Big Fish and thus Big Fish was named!

Big Fish is a compulsive epic fantasy reader and it’s no surprise that if he could have any power it would be The Force. He is most inspired by his partner Golden Bird who was a counselor at Camp Grounded for the last two years.

Campers can count on Big Fish to be big when it’s time to be big and small when it’s time to be small. He’s here to listen, support and have a great time.

Boomer’s college roommates dubbed her “The Boomerang Kid” back in the days when she was unable to leave the house without coming back to get something – be it her buss pass, sunglasses or water bottle. She took “McBean” after marrying her sweetheart, Twizzleman McBean, less than one week after camp last summer! Today, they live in Oakland, California with their collie pup, and a backyard overlooking a small urban farm.

Boomer runs on solar power. Whenever the sky is clear, you’ll find her sitting in sunshine and soaking up its delicious vitamin D, ideally on a riverside rock in the High Sierras. Fully-charged, you’ll find her at the Arts & Crafts barn, making onesies out of extra-large T-Shirts with stylish new methods! Feel free to bring one to camp to transform, or to buy one from the General Store!

Boomer was an only child who frequented many a’camp for many a’year. Her racoon onesie gets the most use at camp, as it’s both perfect on cold, cozy nights and gives her super-sneaky pranking powers. She’ll be the first one to ‘take it there’ both in pranks and as the queen of innuendo. Her favorite color is Meatballs.

The first camp Bricky ever went to was Asthma Camp. It turned out his usually-mild asthma was unaffected by the woods, so he instantly transformed into a relative superman, able to run the farthest/fastest, swim the longest, jump the highest and breathe the quietest. These superior traits did not spare him, however, during a quick change into swimming gear – when a 5” wolf spider climbed his leg to mount an attack! Bricky’s counselor bravely captured the spider, who became their 12th bunkmate, thereafter settling for a diet of grasshoppers. Bricky found the situation ridiculous and scary and “what camp is all about!”

Bricky can look deep into your eyes and come up with the perfect nickname for you, so if you can’t think of one before camp . . . Bricky’s got your back. He also is an incredible artist and loves making sculptures out of Legos!

Bricky St. James discovered his nickname while freestyling in the shower. In high school, he was in a hip-hop group and he still freestyles to this day. One magical morning, he sang “Bricky Bricky Bricky” in falsetto and a “St. James” fell out. When he’s hosting the talent show this summer, let’s all sing it back to him.

Fjords Malone is someone you can count on to talk candidly about anything, especially the camp experience, with emotional awareness even in real time. She’s equally content with intense laughter and utter silence and strives to be role model for authentically delighting in play!

Fjords’ home is her body, which she prefers to keep outdoors and adorned with patterned leggings. In any setting, she loves grilled cheese, tomato soup, the color blue and her family. She adores her two sweet, humble grandmothers who are her personal heros. She is moved by how they have advocated for immigrants’ and children’s rights with amazing compassion. After spending four years living in Canada she picked up the Canadian accent but it’s faded with time – See if you can hear it!

This summer you will find Fjords stirring up the dynamic, powerful energy within us all through Kundalini Yoga, then blending the ancient traditions of haiku and cootie catchers into a new form of collective poetry: the haiku-ti catcher.

Star Cat is all about the love! His passion is for opening his heart, through courageous acts of vulnerability. In addition to his wife and daughter, he loves singing songs, canoe trips, night hikes and getting grungy. He can’t wait to come to camp to reconnect with his playful spontaneous self which is harder and harder to stay connected with while being a parent.

Star Cat is a Leo which inspired his name. You’ll know Star Cat by his awesome pants, adoration for veggie burgers, and jubilant belting of the Beatles. If Star Cat could have one power is would be indomitable courage that he would use to spearhead the revolution!

Star Cat looks forward to sharing his love; groundedness; and calm, radiant presence with campers through meditation and playshops in teepees and through music.

Waddle Fairy’s nickname came to her in a dream. She was a tiny, chubby fairy dressed in a pink tutu whom slowly waddled from tulip to tulip climbing awkwardly up their hairy stems. She was not quite as graceful as the other dainty, flying fairies. Thus was born, Waddle Fairy.

Waddle Fairy’s wings have helped her travel all up and down the West Coast of the United States, from LA to the San Juan Islands and everywhere in between. Having grown up in Seattle, she feels most connected to the Cascadia bio-region of the northwest. Now, San Francisco has been her longest and most successful (though complicated) relationship. Although they aren’t together at the moment, they’re still deeply in love, and won’t stay apart too long.

Not only is Waddle Fairy a world traveler, she is also an adventurer in her daily life. She loves talking to strangers, dressing up in costumes with glitter and jewels, and LOVES to dance. In fact one of her favorite pastimes is going contra dancing where age and background are meaningless and all that matters is moving your body!

This summer, you can count on Waddle Fairy to know when to be serious and when to play. To connect. Learn. Love. Create. Reflect. Give. Receive. Repeat.

Bubbles is excited to return “Home” to Camp Grounded – and to show up in a big way, listening to others in a fully present state. His favorite camp memories from last year were singing songs in the cafeteria and sneaking out at night. He believes joy is available to all of us, and that each of us can help incorporate it into our lives and others!

Bubbles loves learning, from mentors, Camp Grounded friends, great conversation, and books. If he had a secret superpower, it would be the ability to put his finger on a book and absorb all the info inside in a single minute. Believe it or not, a hero of his is Oprah. he is inspired by her dedication to elevating consciousness throughout humanity.

This summer you’ll find Bubbles blissing out in a hammock, throwing a frisbee, taking photos, and reframing “no”. He looks forward to creating a fun-loving, safe, weird, and beautiful environment where he and others can fully express themselves without judgment… then play!

Stoked was one of those kids who was originally terrified to sleep away from home. Her best memories for facing those fears are the connections she made along the way. Through camp she learned that it’s the people (and vegan sprouted s’mores!) that matter more than the physical space!

Stoked is filled with child-like wonder — including silliness, joy, brightness, wisdom, and gentleness. She also is an incredible poet and storyteller, using childlike rhyme to remind of us of very important truths. When Stoked was in 3rd grade, she read more than 33,000 pages and while that sounds like a super power in itself, If she had any other superpower it would be to morph into any animal.

Hailing from Tallahassee, Florida, Stoked has now found a home in Oakland, California. Her greatest hope is to support campers to be happy and free – keep an eye out for her in her striped harem pants or tutu which was a gift from a venerated New Orleans Drag Queen.

Jedi’s name came from a capoeira-based Star Wars reenactment he’s created for the past three years in San Francisco. You’ll know him by his big smile, cowboy hats and suspenders. He loves being in groups, supporting and challenging each other, and cheering everyone on along the way.

In his spare time, Jedi loves playing and being silly on warm afternoons with his daughter, whose laugh is even bigger and wider-mouthed than his. Imagine them playing hide and go seek together until, exhausted, they both pass out, with their butts in the air and their faces planted on the floor.

If Jedi could be anywhere right now it would be jumping off of a cliff, out of an airplane, or really anything that’s high up. He loves that moment when you are forced to embrace your vulnerability and relax into the fall. He looks forward to connecting deeply with new friends who he might never have otherwise been drawn to in the “real” world.

Bug is a love-snuggle-lady-song-tickle-dance-bug from the Central Valley of California. She’s also definitely a water bug and when she was a kid at camp she loved to hang out all day at the lake. Starting with a “polar plunge” in the morning, she’d spend her day, kayaking, swimming and warming herself on the rocks

A recent home of Bug’s was in a village just west of Panama called Santa Rita. There she spent the past two years living in divine simplicity around the base of the Barú volcano. In Santa Rita, neighbors drop by for unexpected visits, children play freely, and time slows. Her favorite place in the world is the Peruvian Amazon jungle, which brings her to life with all its “singing life and wild hunger.”

Oak trees are Bug’s personal heroes, because of their beauty, strength, patience, humility and wisdom. If she had a superpower, it would be to understand and speak all the world’s languages. She looks forward to being an active listener and sounding board for all her new friends and campers this summer, with a warm smile and hug for anyone who asks.

Dream Machine is here to ignite the dreams and innate exuberance of every camper. At theater and nature camps, she got her start seeing the best in people right off the bat. Her passion is creating containers for campers to explore and express themselves through language. Look for her hosting poetry and vision board playshops!

In downtime at camp, you’ll find Dream Machine living out her inner water creature as an aquamarine Dolphuar, a blend between a dolphin and jaguar. She invites you to come as you are, and is excited to offer a trustworthy listening ear and to build great friendships.

Dream Machine is happiest when helping campers plug in to their inner landscape so they can show up as the people they already are and want to become. An abundant believer in each person’s potential, she accepts people openly and non-judgmentally for who they are right now. So, she says — “we should probably be friends!”

Boondogle is a mountain-dweller and lake-lover, hailing from the beautiful outdoor lands of Colorado where she’s honed her skills as a more-than-decent beat boxer. As a kid, she both loved lanyards and always dreamed of holding the name “Boondogle” as a counselor. It was only this year that she realized that Boondogle is actually another word for LANYARD!

When it comes to mornings, Boondogle excels as a human alarm clock, with a spirited chant of “Alive Awake Alert Enthusiastic!” She looks up to the Dali Lama because of his gift to turn “anything into something worth guffawing about, with gusto.” Boondogle’s rock is her wife who is a great treasure in her life – constant, unwavering, still holding the childlike wonder in her eyes.

This summer you’ll find Boondogle at the river, rope swinging into even murky waters with great glee. She’s totally aware of the blocks that can keep us out of creativity and in a state of overwhelm, and can’t wait to help others tap back into a state of connectedness and soulful release.

Snazzie got her name through an MC rap battle on last year’s camp bus. She loves freestyling, blending voices, bodies and rhythm together through rap or poetry. This year she hopes to share her passion in a body-based camp-wide drum circle!

Snazzie grew up on a farm near Toronto, Canada, where she found her loves for swinging in a hammock, fresh and organic foods, and making a mess in the kitchen. She loves the color green, including forests, green smoothies, and zucchini with nuts.

At camp you’ll find Snazzie uniting art, food, voices, and bodies through play. She loves being silly, but looks forward to balancing this for her campers with a steady inner strength to support them in having the best experience they can. Don’t forget to hit her up for some gorgeous face-or body-paint!

Yes Please! Got her name from her belief that fulfillment and joy come from being an active participant in life and saying “YES!” to as much as possible. Growing up in Seattle, her home was regularly visited by Jane Goodall (a good friend of her dad) who has been a role model to her in living one’s personal truth and being part of something larger than oneself.

Her favorite way of playing is to dance, which makes sense considering she’s been on competitive hip hop dance teams from 3rd grade through college. She also loves a good camp style Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup and if she could have any superpower, it would be to teleport.

Yes Please! loves being outside in the mountains and you’ll never find her without a good book to read. If you’re looking for her this summer, look out for the person in a Koala Onesie or belting out some Indigo Girls at a camp sing-a-long.

Iceman lives in Royal Oak, Michigan, which is just outside of Detroit. She spends a lot of time in Detroit and is deeply invested in it’s resurgence and revival. If Iceman were any combination of two animals she would be would owl-turtle and call herself “sweet tree dwelling turtle looking bird” or Bob for short.

She loves going on gratitude sprees–expressing rapid fire what she is grateful for. Iceman feels most grounded when she is able to move, touch or inspire another person through the simple act of acknowledgement.

At camp you may find her wearing one of her four handmade capes, leading a game of disc golf, reading Pablo Neruda by the river, or blasting her vocal chords singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart”. When Iceman went to camp she loved to play Capture the Flag and you’ll be sure to see her captaining a team in this summer’s Color Wars.

This is Summer Camp

Let’s be clear. This is not a conference, networking event or summit.

This will not be a meet-up opportunity to make contacts that further your career. There will be no cocktail hour or reception for anyone to explain what they do, play the “we know the same people” game, or try and figure out how they can connect again after they return to the workplace. No VIPs, headliners or wristbands. No backstage access, or backstage while we’re at it.

Instead, we create an atmosphere for personal freedom, creative thinking, liberation from technology, true vacation from our j-o-b, and a space from the working world where we can all once again be human. Friendships at camp are based on real-life connections, how good you are at capture the flag or face-painting, the best late night bunkmate jokes, and the most important status we’ll update is our happiness.

This is just like the camp you went as a kid… only designed for adults. All Inclusive, all ages (18-80), and all demographics. It’s about who you are, not what you do for a living. 100% IRL (in real life) Experiences.

No screens. No Filters. No Big Data. No agenda. No bullshit.
Just good old camp.

Space is limited. See you in the woods.

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